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one of the cities of his kingdom； and charged them to have regard
to nothing so much in judging the multitude as to do justice； and
not to be moved by bribes； nor by the dignity of men eminent for
either their riches or their high birth； but to distribute
justice equally to all； as knowing that God is conscious of every
secret action of theirs。 When he had himself instructed them
thus； and gone over every city of the two tribes； he returned to
Jerusalem。 He there also constituted judges out of the priests
and the Levites； and principal persons of the multitude； and
admonished them to pass all their sentences with care and justice
（1） And that if any of the people of his country had differences
of great consequence； they should send them out of the other
cities to these judges； who would be obliged to give righteous
sentences concerning such causes； and this with the greater care；
because it is proper that the sentences which are given in that
city wherein the temple of God is； and wherein the king dwells；
be given with great care and the utmost justice。 Now he set over
them Amariah the priest； and Zebadiah； ＇both＇ of the tribe of
Judah； and after this manner it was that the king ordered these
affairs。
2。 About the same time the Moabites and Ammonites made an
expedition against Jehoshaphat； ；and took with them a great body
of Arabians； and pitched their camp at Engedi； a city that is
situate at the lake Asphaltiris； and distant three hundred
furlongs from Jerusalem。 In that place grows the best kind of
palm trees； and the opobalsamum。 （2） Now Jehoshaphat heard that
the enemies had passed over the lake； and had made an irruption
into that country which belonged to his kingdom； at which news he
was aftrighted； and called the people of Jerusalem to a
congregation in the temple； and standing over against the temple
itself； he called upon God to afford him power and strength； so
as to inflict punishment on those that made this expedition
against them （for that those who built this his temple had
prayed； that he would protect that city； and take vengeance on
those that were so bold as to come against it）； for they are come
to take from us that land which thou hast given us for a
possession。 When he had prayed thus； he fell into tears； and the
whole multitude； together with their wives and children； made
their supplications also： upon which a certain prophet； Jahaziel
by name； came into the midst of the assembly； and cried out； and
spake both to the multitude and to the king； that God heard their
prayers； and promised to fight against their enemies。 He also
gave order that the king should draw his forces out the next day；
for that he should find them between Jerusalem and the ascent of
Engedi； at a place called The Eminence； and that he should not
fight against them； but only stand still； and see how God would
fight against them。 When the prophet had said this； both the king
and the multitude fell upon their faces； and gave thanks to God；
and worshipped him； and the Levites continued singing hymns to
God with their instruments of music。
3。 As soon as it was day； and the king was come into that
wilderness which is under the city of Tekoa； he said to the
multitude； 〃that they ought to give credit to what the prophet
had said； and not to set themselves in array for fighting； but to
set the priests with their trumpets； and the Levites with the
singers of hymns； to give thanks to God； as having already
delivered our country from our enemies。〃 This opinion of the king
pleased ＇the people＇； and they did what he advised them to do。 So
God caused a terror and a commotion to arise among the Ammonites；
who thought one another to be enemies； and slew one another；
insomuch that not one man out of so great an army escaped； and
when Jehoshaphat looked upon that valley wherein their enemies
had been encamped； and saw it full of dead men； he rejoiced at so
surprising an event； as was this assistance of God； while he
himself by his own power； and without their labor； had given them
the victory。 He also gave his army leave to take the prey of the
enemy's camp； and to spoil their dead bodies； and indeed so they
did for three days together； till they were weary； so great was
the number of the slain； and on the fourth day； all the people
were gathered together unto a certain hollow place or valley； and
blessed God for his power and assistance； from which the place
had this name given it； the Valley of ＇Berachah； or＇ Blessing。
4。 And when the king had brought his army back to Jerusalem； he
betook himself to celebrate festivals； and offer sacrifices； and
this for many days。 And indeed； after this destruction of their
enemies； and when it came to the ears of the foreign nations；
they were all greatly aftrighted； as supposing that God would
openly fight for him hereafter。 So Jehoshaphat from that time
lived in great glory and splendor； on account of his
righteousness and his piety towards God。 He was also in
friendship with Ahab's son； who was king of Israel； and he joined
with him in the building of ships that were to sail to Pontus；
and the traffic cities of Thrace （3） but he failed of his gains；
for the ships were destroyed by being so great ＇and unwieldy＇； on
which account he was no longer concerned about shipping。 And this
is the history of Jehoshaphat； the king of Jerusalem。
CHAPTER 2。
Concerning Ahaziah； The King Of Israel； And Again Concerning The
Prophet Elijah。
1。 And now Ahaziah； the son of Ahab； reigned over Israel； and
made his abode in Samaria。 He was a wicked man； and in all
respects like to both his parents and to Jeroboam； who first of
all transgressed； and began to deceive the people。 In the second
year of his reign； the king of Moab fell off from his obedience；
and left off paying those tributes which he before paid to his
father Ahab。 Now it happened that Ahaziah； as he was coming down
from the top of his house； fell down from it； and in his sickness
sent to the Fly； which was the god of Ekron； for that was this
god's name； to inquire about his recovery （4） but the God of the
Hebrews appeared to Elijah the prophet； and commanded him to go
and meet the messengers that were sent； and to ask them； whether
the people of Israel had pot a God of their own； that the king
sent to a foreign god to inquire about his recovery？ and to bid
them return and tell the king that he would not escape this
disease。 And when Elijah had performed what God had commanded
him； and the messengers had heard what he said； they returned to
the king immediately； and when the king wondered how they could
return so soon； and asked them the reason of it； they said that a
certain man met them； and forbade them to go on any farther； but
to return and tell thee； from the command of the God of Israel；
that this disease will have a bad end。 And when the king bid them
describe the man that said this to them； they replied that he was
a hairy man； and was girt about with a girdle of leather。 So the
king understood by this that the man who was described by the
messengers was Elijah； whereupon he sent a captain to him； with
fifty soldiers； and commanded them to b